Apple sets new 150MB ceiling for over the air App Store downloads

To go along with Tuesday's big iOS 11 release, Apple announced a change in App Store policy that allows users to download apps up to 150 megabytes in size when connected to a cellular network, up from a previous cap of 100MB.

The new download ceiling was revealed in a post to Apple's official webpage.

Prior to the change, users conducting over-the-air purchases or updates were limited to 100MB packages, meaning they would have to connect to a Wi-Fi network to download larger apps like word processors. For example, Apple's recently updated iWork suite contains three massive apps in the 432MB Pages, 404MB Numbers and 637MB Keynote.

With the new cap, Apple is likely preparing for an onslaught of new augmented reality apps enabled by ARKit in iOS 11. The AR titles, a number of which are already live on the App Store, overlay rich graphics on top of real-world objects. For now, ARKit apps work on flat surfaces like tables and floors, but future implementations are expected to support more complex terrain.

The change in App Store download requirements is transparent to the end user and will only be noticed when attempting to download a 150MB+ app over a cellular network. The App Store OTA limit was last raised in 2013.

All kidding aside, deciding whether to impose a limit on the size of app files that can be downloaded over a cellular connection should not be Apple's decision to make. If anyone should impose a limit it should be the cellular carriers - not Apple. Even then, if a user wants to blow through their data plan downloading huge apps from the App Store then let the user decide. In fact, if a user is using a wireless hotspot, bonded cellular connection, etc., that presents Wifi to the Apple device the limit does not apply. So what problem is Apple trying to solve with this limit?

All kidding aside, deciding whether to impose a limit on the size of app files that can be downloaded over a cellular connection should not be Apple's decision to make. If anyone should impose a limit it should be the cellular carriers - not Apple. Even then, if a user wants to blow through their data plan downloading huge apps from the App Store then let the user decide. In fact, if a user is using a wireless hotspot, bonded cellular connection, etc., that presents Wifi to the Apple device the limit does not apply. So what problem is Apple trying to solve with this limit?

Apple is so wrong on this one.

The problem they're trying to solve is the one where someone blows through their data cap because they had background updates on, gets throttled, or possibly billed excess usage charges, and blames Apple for it.

Another problem is the one where the telcos complain about iPhone users using up all their bandwidth on "Unlimited" data plans, and so they have to charge them extra, or try to renegotiate the deals to support the iPhone with Apple.

Apple are protecting themselves from nuisance complaints and the attendant bad publicity, and their users from the telcos.

All kidding aside, deciding whether to impose a limit on the size of app files that can be downloaded over a cellular connection should not be Apple's decision to make. If anyone should impose a limit it should be the cellular carriers - not Apple. Even then, if a user wants to blow through their data plan downloading huge apps from the App Store then let the user decide. In fact, if a user is using a wireless hotspot, bonded cellular connection, etc., that presents Wifi to the Apple device the limit does not apply. So what problem is Apple trying to solve with this limit?

Apple is so wrong on this one.

The problem they're trying to solve is the one where someone blows through their data cap because they had background updates on, gets throttled, or possibly billed excess usage charges, and blames Apple for it.

Another problem is the one where the telcos complain about iPhone users using up all their bandwidth on "Unlimited" data plans, and so they have to charge them extra, or try to renegotiate the deals to support the iPhone with Apple.

Apple are protecting themselves from nuisance complaints and the attendant bad publicity, and their users from the telcos.

Except Android devices don't have such limits. All Apple needs to do is ask the question of download limits when setting up the devices, then prompt the user when downloads something large. That way users can't bitch...

Instead, Apple prevents not only apps from downloading but also critical iOS security updates. There is no way anyone can argue that Apples policy isn't colossally stupid.

seanismorris said:All Apple needs to do is ask the question of download limits when setting up the devices, then prompt the user when downloads something large.

Even that’s probably not necessary, as carrier info gets top priority in the OS, like Apple’s own apps. The phone can figure out what plan and carrier it’s using on its own and make that determination automatically.